System and method for printing and reusing customized sample sets while printing documents

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and devices are configured to print and reuse customized sample sets while printing documents. They include receiving instructions to retrieve an electronic document and processing the electronic document in a sample print mode. The electronic document are arranged in a plurality of page with each page containing readable information. They further include identifying a subset of pages of the electronic document to print in a first phase of the sample print mode and printing the subset of pages on a physical readable media in the sample print mode. They additionally include displaying a message on a user interface after completion of the first phase of the sample print mode and printing remaining pages of the electronic document on a physical readable media in response to user input based on the displayed message.

This patent application is a continuations of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/354,769, filed on Mar. 15, 2019, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Networked printer systems allow a user to submit a print job for anelectronic document to a queue or server that can subsequently beprinted using one of a large number of different printers. Thearrangement allows a user to walk to any one of the supported printersand select the job to be printed. In some print job configurations, anoption exists for printing one or more test pages of the documents inorder to evaluate the quality of printing or to determine if thedocument is printed in the proper form or format. The test pages may behelpful to identify an incompatibility between the print documentgenerated by a print driver and the resulting print output from theprinter for the electronic document. In some cases, a test mode mayfurther be available that includes printing some or all of the documentusing a lower print quality.

Typically, one of the motives for printing test pages is to allow theuser to decide whether to proceed with the print job on that printer ornot. However, in many cases, the pages printed as test pages are notselectable by the user and may not be representative of the mostchallenging pages to print or the most important pages in terms ofprinting quality for the user. Regardless of the purpose for, and theresult of, printing test pages, the test pages that are printed are notuseable or even configurable to be made usable as part of printing thefinal version of the electronic document. As a result, when usable printoutput is finally produced, the user may have to proceed through thesteps of resubmitting the print job to the print queue or printer toprint the entire document. Further, if the print job has a large numberof pages, the number of test pages, if not user selectable, may also belarge, leading to increased use of paper or printable media and excesswaste. The problem is further compounded if the user decides to createand request the same print job on multiple printers to evaluate thequality and all remain unsatisfactory. The user may additionally have tocreate a new or different print job for each submission to a differentprinter in order to address any printer compatibility issues describedabove. Therefore, there is a need to create a mechanism for printingtest or sample pages of an electronic document evaluate print qualityissues that do not result in unnecessary expense and waste of printingresources as well as materials, such as ink or and paper or otherprintable media.

OVERVIEW

Exemplary embodiments described herein include methods, systems, andapparatuses for printing and reusing customized sample sets whileprinting a document. An exemplary printing apparatus includes a printingengine that prints information on a physical readable medium. Theprinting apparatus also includes a print processor that receivesinstructions to retrieve an electronic document from a print queue andto process the electronic document in a sample print mode. Theelectronic document is arranged in a plurality of pages with each pagecontaining readable information. The print processor further sendsinformation for an identified subset of the plurality of pages of theelectronic document to print using the print engine in a first phase ofthe sample print mode. The printing apparatus also includes a userinterface that displays a message regarding the printing of theelectronic document after the first phase of the sample print mode iscomplete. The print processor further provides remaining pages of theelectronic document to print using the print engine in a second phase ofthe sample print mode in response to user input based on the message.

An exemplary apparatus includes a memory for storing a electronicdocument. The electronic document is arranged in a plurality of pageswith each page containing readable information. The apparatus furtherincludes a processor configured to process the electronic documentretrieved from the memory in a sample print mode based on a first userinput. The processor also sends instructions to print a subset of pagesof the electronic document on a physical readable media in a first phaseof the sample print mode. The subset of pages of the electronic documentare identified based on a second user input. The processor additionallysends instructions to print remaining pages of the electronic documenton the physical readable media in a second phase of the sample printmode. The instructions to print remaining pages are sent in response toa third user input based on a message displayed at the completion ofprinting in the first phase of the sample print mode.

An exemplary method includes receiving instructions to retrieve anelectronic document. The electronic document is arranged in a pluralityof pages with each page containing readable information. The method alsoincludes receiving a command to process the electronic document in asample print mode. The method additionally includes identifying a subsetof pages of the electronic document to print in a first phase of thesample print mode and printing the subset of pages on a physicalreadable media in the sample print mode. The method further includesdisplaying a message on a user interface after completion of the firstphase of the sample print mode and printing remaining pages of theelectronic document on a physical readable media in response to userinput based on the displayed message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be described or become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments, which is to be readin connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system for printing and reusing customizedsample sets while printing documents.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary printing device for printing and reusingcustomized sample sets while printing documents.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary user device for printing and reusingcustomized sample sets while printing documents.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary process for printing and reusing customizedsample sets while printing documents.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary screenshot from a display on a device usedfor printing and reusing customized sample sets while printingdocuments.

FIG. 6 depicts another exemplary screenshot from a display on a deviceused for printing and reusing customized sample sets while printingdocuments.

FIG. 7 depicts a further exemplary screenshot from a display on a deviceused for printing and reusing customized sample sets while printingdocuments.

FIG. 8 depicts yet another exemplary screenshot from a display on adevice used for printing and reusing customized sample sets whileprinting documents.

It should be understood that the drawing(s) are for purposes ofillustrating the concepts of the disclosure and are not necessarily theonly possible configuration for illustrating the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments described herein, a printing apparatus is used toperform one or more of the aspects of present disclosure describingprinting and reusing customized sample sets while printing documents.The printing apparatus includes a printing engine that printsinformation on a physical readable medium. The printing apparatus alsoincludes a print processor that receives instructions to retrieve anelectronic document from a print queue and to process the remoteelectronic document in a sample print mode, the remote electronicdocument arranged in a plurality of pages, each page containing readableinformation, the print processor further sending information for anidentified subset of the plurality of pages of the electronic documentto print using the print engine in a first phase of the sample printmode. The printing apparatus further includes a user interface thatdisplays a message regarding the printing of the electronic documentafter the first phase of the sample print mode is complete. Finally, theprint processor in the printing apparatus provides the remaining pagesof the remote electronic document to print using the print engine in asecond phase of the sample print mode in response to user input based onthe message. The printing apparatus may include additional electricalelements used in conjunction with general electronics and printingtechnology as well as specific electrical elements necessary foroperation in specific types of wired and/or wireless communicationnetworks. The print processor further may include one or more processorsas well as other elements necessary to perform the various operations asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the displayed message may include a user selectionmenu to select one printing option from at least one of continueprinting in a second phase, cancel printing, or transfer printing of theelectronic document to a different printer apparatus to begin printingin the first phase of the sample print mode in the different printerapparatus. Further, in some embodiments, the electronic document andinformation associated with the identified subset of the plurality ofpages in the electronic document are electronically communicated to thedifferent printer apparatus when the printing option to transfer theelectronic document to a different printer is selected.

In some embodiments, the user interface displays a second messageincluding a user selection menu for identifying the subset of theplurality of pages in the electronic document, the selection menuincluding an entry for user selection of the pages in the subset and anentry for automatic selection of pages in the subset. Additionally, insome embodiments, the entry for user selection of the pages in thesubset includes a user selection for a percentage of all the pages inthe electronic document. Further, in some embodiments, the entry forautomatic selection of pages in the subset includes selecting the pagesin the subset based on a determination of white area on a page.

In some embodiments, the displayed message includes a message to insertthe printed subset of page from the first phase of the sample print modein a page collating mechanism attached to the print engine, and whereinthe print engine further collates the subset of pages that were printedin the first phase with the remaining pages printed in the second phasewhile printing the remaining pages of the remote electronic document inthe second phase of the sample print mode.

In some embodiments described herein, an apparatus may be included toperform one or more of the aspects of the disclosure described by thevarious embodiments herein. The apparatus includes a memory for storingan electronic document, the electronic document arranged in a pluralityof pages, each page containing readable information. The apparatusfurther includes a processor configured to process the electronicdocument retrieved from the memory in a sample print mode based on afirst user input, send instructions to print a subset of pages of theretrieved electronic document on a physical readable media in a firstphase of the sample print mode, the subset of pages of the retrievedelectronic document identified based on a second user input and sendinstructions to print the remaining pages of the retrieved electronicdocument on the physical readable media in a second phase of the sampleprint mode, the instructions being sent in response to a third userinput based on a message displayed at the completion of printing in thefirst phase of the sample print mode. The apparatus may includeadditional electrical elements used in conjunction with generalelectronics and printing technology as well as specific electricalelements necessary for operation in specific types of wired and/orwireless communication networks. The processor may further be embodiedas one or more processors and may include other elements necessary toperform the various operations as described above. The memory mayinclude additional elements, including but not limited to, a datastorage element, and a memory for storing program instructions. Thememory or similar element may provide the program instructions to theprocessor in order to execute the various mechanisms in the embodimentsdescribed herein.

In some of the embodiments disclosed herein, a method or process isdescribed that utilizes a mechanism for printing and reusing customizedsample sets while printing documents. The process includes receivinginstructions to retrieve an electronic document, the electronic documentarranged in a plurality of pages, each page containing readableinformation, receiving a command to process the electronic document in asample print mode, identifying a subset of pages of the electronicdocument to print in a first phase of the sample print mode, printingthe subset of pages on a physical readable media in the sample printmode, displaying a message on a user interface after completion of thefirst phase of the sample print mode, and printing the remaining pagesof the electronic document on a physical readable media in response touser input based on the displayed message. The process may furtherinclude other aspects and mechanisms of the present disclosure asdescribed herein.

The implementation of one or more of the aspects of the processes,mechanisms, systems, and devices of the present embodiment provides theability to select a custom set of pages for printing prior to printingan entire electronic document. The custom set may be chosen from therange of pre-determined percentages, a user-defined page range, orthrough one or more automatic selection processes, allowing the user tochoose a set that may better evaluate the print quality for the printedoutput. In some embodiments, if the user is not satisfied with thesample set, an electronic document transfer mechanism is provided totransfer the electronic document along with specific informationassociated with the electronic document to another printer allowingevaluate print quality on that printer without restarting the printingprocess and reentering all of the information for creating the printingjob. Finally, some embodiments include a mechanism to incorporate theprinted pages from the custom set (e.g., the set that may represent thebest quality printing at a printer) during the printing process for theremaining pages of the electronic document. Any or all of these aspectsreduce or eliminate print media or paper waste as well as reduceunnecessary printing resource and printing material use.

These and additional operations are further described with respect tothe embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-8 below.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 for printing and reusingcustomized sample sets while printing documents. System 100 includes aplurality of user devices 110 a-110 c coupled to a plurality of multiplefunction devices (MFDs) 130 a-130 d through a network 120. User devices110 a-110 c and MFDs 130 a-130 d may be located throughout sites withinthe same building or dwelling and connected through one or both of awired and wireless local area network using a communication protocolincluding, but not limited to, Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) standard 802.3, Wi-Fi, and IEEE standard 802.11. One ormore of user devices 110 a-110 c may additionally be located in adifferent or remote facility from the dwelling or building where the oneor more of the MFDs 130 a-130 d are located. The one or more remotelylocated user devices 110 a-110 c may be communicatively coupled to theone or more MFDs 130 a-130 d through a private or public network using acommunication protocol including, but not limited to, Internet Protocolor any cellular communication protocols.

In operation, system 100, using a combination of one or more of the userdevices 110 a-110 c and MFDs 130 a-130 c performs various aspects of amechanism for printing and reusing customized sample sets while printingdocuments. The mechanism includes receiving instructions at one of thedevices (e.g., users devices 110 a-110 c or MFDs 130 a-130 d) toretrieve an electronic document and, if necessary, initiate a printingjob for the retrieved electronic document. The electronic document is,for example, arranged in a plurality of pages with each page containingreadable information. In some embodiments, the instructions may beprovided by one of the user devices 110 a-110 c and communicated to oneof the MFDs 130 a-130 d. The mechanism further includes receiving acommand at the same one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d to process theelectronic document in a sample print mode. The command may includeinformation identifying a subset of pages of the electronic document toprint in a first phase of the sample print mode. In some cases, thecommand may be provided by the one of the user devices 110 a-110 c,while in other cases, the command may be entered directly (e.g., througha user interface) on the one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d.

The one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d in system 100 prints the subset of pageson a physical readable media in the sample print mode. Once printing ofthe subset of pages is complete, a message is displayed on a userinterface included on the one of the user devices 110 a-110 c and/or theone of the MFDs 130 a-130 d. The one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d prints theremaining pages of the electronic document on a physical readable mediain response to a user input based on the displayed message. In someembodiments, a message is further displayed (e.g., on the one of theMFDs 130 a-130 d) to insert the printed subset of pages in a paper trayholder included on the one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d to allow the one ofthe MFDs 130 a-130 d to collate the printed subset of pages during theprinting of the remaining pages of the electronic document. By includinga mechanism to include the printed pages from the sample set with theprinting of the remaining pages, a custom sample set that may bestrepresent an assessment of print quality may be printed and reusedresulting in eliminating paper waste as well as reducing unnecessaryprinter resource and material use.

In some embodiments, a selectable option may be included in a messagedisplayed on a user interface (e.g., on the one of the user devices 110a-110 c and/or the one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d) to transfer (e.g.,electronically through a communication network) the electronic documentand associated printing information (e.g., the subset of pages forsample printing) to a different one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d. Byproviding an electronic transfer mechanism and including the informationassociated with the electronic document, the user may evaluate printquality on the different one of the MFDs 130 a-130 d without restartingthe printing process and reentering all of the information as part ofcreating a new printing job.

The user devices 110 a-110 c may be any one of a personal computer, alaptop computer, a computer network terminal, a tablet, a cellularphone, a smartphone, and the like. User devices 110 a-110 c may includeprocessors, displays, communication interfaces, user interfaces, andmemories, along with various program modules stored in a memory andexecuted by a processor, to implement specific functions, such as printservers, print drivers, graphic user interface menus, and communicationprotocols. MFDs 130 a-130 d may be any one of a printer, a printer/faxmachine, a printer/scanner machine, and the like. MFDs 130 a-130 d mayinclude one or more processors, a printer mechanism, mechanical printingmedia processors, a network interface, a user interface, and storageelements, along with various program modules stored in the storageelements and executed by the one or more processors. Details related todevices similar to User devices 110 a-110 c and MFDs 130 a-130 d will bedescribed in further detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary printing device 200, which can be usedwith systems and methods for printing and reusing customized sample setswhile printing documents. Printing device 200 may operate in a mannersimilar to MFDs 130 a-130 d described in FIG. 1. Printing device 200 mayalso be embodied as, or incorporated in, a printer, copier,multi-function machine, or other device that includes the capability toprint an electronic document on a physical printable and/or readablemedia, such as paper. Printing device 200 includes a marking device orprinting engine 240 capable of printing markings on sheets of printmedia, a print processor 224 operatively coupled to the printing engine240, a user interface 212 operatively coupled (not shown) to the printprocessor 224, and a network interface 214 operatively coupled to theprint processor 224 and printing engine 240. A storage element 210 isalso operatively coupled to network interface 214, print processor 224,and printing engine 240. Printing engine 240 is also operatively coupledto sheet supply 230, scanner/document handler 232, media path 236, andfinisher 234. Power supply 218 receives input from power source 220 andprovides power to components in printing device 200 including storage210, network interface 214, print processor 224, and printing engine240. Other elements may be included in printing device 200 but are notdescribed here in the interest of conciseness.

In operation, user interface 212 receives instructions to retrieve anelectronic document maintained within a print queue either in storage210 or in an external print server in the network. The print processor224 retrieves the electronic document based on input received from userinterface 212. The instructions may also include additional informationassociated with printing the electronic document. Print processor 240may also be referred to as an image processor and operates in adifferent manner than a general purpose processor because it isspecialized for processing image data. A printing mechanism is initiatedby instructions in signals communicated from print processor 224 toprinting engine 240. Media path 236 is positioned to supply continuousmedia or sheets of print media (e.g., paper, cardstock, or velum) fromsheet supply 230 to the marking device(s) included in printing engine240. After printing engine generates and applies various markings tosheets of print media, the sheets may optionally pass to finisher 234which can flip, fold, staple, sort, collate etc., the various printedsheets based on the additional information associated with printing theelectronic document.

Printing engine 240 may include any marking device that applies amarking material (e.g., toner, inks, etc.) to continuous print media orsheets of print media, whether currently known or developed in thefuture and can include, for example, devices that use a photoreceptorbelt or an intermediate transfer belt or devices that print directly toprint media (e.g., inkjet printers, ribbon-based contact printers,etc.). Scanner/document handler 232 may be used for feeding orre-feeding (e.g., in duplex print mode) printed media sheets, eitherautomatically or manually with inputs from a user, in any of theprinting, scanning or faxing modes available. Sheet supply 230 mayinclude one or more trays for storing and positioning printable mediafor entry onto media path 236. Sheet supply 230 may include a bypasstray that allows external print media, such as previously printed pagesto be added and entered into media path 236 for marking instead of, orin addition to, any printable media already in sheet supply 230.

As part of the printing function in printing device 200, user interface212 displays a menu including print options for the retrieved documentto be printed. User interface 212 may receive instructions fordisplaying this menu as well as other menus and messages from printprocessor 224. Included in the print options menu may be a full printoption. If the full print option is selected (e.g., based on user inputthrough user interface 212), print engine 240 prints the fully printeddocument based on the retrieved electronic document. Print processor 224may provide any instructions for printing documents to print engine 240.

In addition, user interface 212 in printing device 200 may display aprint sample set option in the print options menu. Based on the userinterface 212 receiving a user input selecting the print sample setoption, user interface 212 displays sample set selection menu. Thesample set selection menu may include a series of selection optionsincluding a pages selection option, a document percentage selectionoption, and one or more automatic (e.g., by the printing device) optionoptions.

The page selection option may allow a user to select or enter (e.g.,type in) a subset of one or more pages of the electronic document as thesample set by entering the page numbers individually or as a group. Thepage selection option may also allow a user to select even or odd pagesin the electronic document as the sample set, which may be useful whenprinting in duplex mode, especially if the printed sample pages areincorporated or collated in with any printing of pages in the electronicdocument that are not part of the sample set in a manner similar to thatdescribed above.

The percentage of document selection option may allow a user to select apercentage of the document to include as part of the sample set. Theoption may include pre-defined percentages for the sample set, such as10 percent, 20 percent, and 50 percent of the pages in the electronicdocument. The user may select one of these options or may enter (e.g.,type in) a percentage value from 1 percent to 99 percent. Once thepercentage is selected or entered, print processor 200 determines thepages to be included in the sample using the following equations:

x=(p/100)*n[Rounded off to the next whole number]

-   -   where x is the number of pages to be printed in sample set,    -   p is the selected or entered percentage of pages of the        electronic document to be printed, and    -   n is the number of pages in the electronic document selected for        printing

The automatic selection option may allow the user to use tools, such asa document analysis program, present either in the printing device 200or in a user device (e.g., one of the user devices 110 a-110 c devicesdescribed in FIG. 1) to select pages for the sample set based on severalpossible properties. For example, a random selection option may beavailable, that selects the pages in some random sequence. In anotherexample, a marking content selection option may be available thatchooses pages with high amounts of marking content or alternatively lowamounts of white space on the pages. In still other examples, a colorcontent selection option or a picture/text content selection option maybe available. Various mathematical and statistical processes may be usedas part of determining and generating the pages used in the sample setfor any of the selection option choices associated with an automaticselection option.

Once the selection of the sample set is made on user interface 212 inprinting device 200, printing engine 240 (e.g., based on instructionsfrom print processor 224) begins, in a first step or phase, printing thesample set of pages from the electronic document based on the sample setselection that was made. As part of printing in the first step or phase,print processor 224 may also determine whether the media printing modeis simplex or duplex. Print processor 224 further instructs the printengine 240 on how to proceed with printing the sample set based on theselection of the sample set and the media printing mode.

In simplex mode, printing sample sets for either page selection orautomatic selection requires the print processor 224 to instruct printengine 240 to print the pages as if they were in order (i.e., numericalorder). However, if the percentage of document selection is chosen,print engine 240 prints the sample set of pages by printing every Sthpage until x pages are printed or until there are no additional pages toprint for the electronic document where S is equal to the following:

S=n/x[Rounded off to the next whole number]

In duplex mode, printing sample sets for either page selection orautomatic selection may include having the print engine 240 (e.g., basedon instructions from print processor 224) print the pages based onwhether the page number (e.g., the page number within the originalelectronic document or the page number established by the print job) isan even or odd page. Based on printing order of the pages, odd pages areprinted on a first or front side of a sheet of print media (e.g., paper)while even pages are printed on the second or back side. However, if thepercentage of document selection is chosen, print engine 240 prints thesample set of pages by printing every (D−1)th page in pairs (to accountfor duplex printing) until x pages are printed or there are no morepairs to print, whichever comes first, where D is governed by thefollowing:

D=(n/x)*2 [Rounded off to the next whole number]

It is important to note that other printing control algorithms may bealso used for printing the sample set of pages, depending on the mediaprinting mode and the sample set selection option made by the user. Oncethe sample set of pages is printed, print engine 240 ceases printing anduser interface 212 displays a menu to select the next step or phase ofprinting. The next step menu may include several selection optionsincluding, but not limited to, cancel further printing of the electronicdocument, continue printing the remainder of the electronic document,and transfer or move the electronic document and associated informationto a different printing device, as described earlier.

If the continue printing option is selected from the displayed menu, theuser interface 212 may display another message instructing the user toinsert the printed sample set in the bypass tray included in sheetsupply 230 and additionally display an acknowledgment entry. Once theprinted sample set is inserted and acknowledgment is made, print engine240 begins printing the remaining pages of the electronic document.Print processor provides instructions to print engine 240 indicating theproper printing order for the remaining pages of the electronic documentand when to incorporate the print media sheets used for the pages of theprinted sample set from the bypass tray. The instruction also includeswhich print media sheets used for the pages of the printed sample set toapply additional markings to as necessary (e.g., in duplex mode).Storage 210 may maintain information, such as a data file, includingspecific data associated with the printing of the electronic document,including the sample printing option chosen, the media printing mode,the selected pages for the sample set, and which step or phase ofprinting in the sample printing mode has or hasn't been completed.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary user device 300 which can be used withsystems and processes for printing and reusing customized sample setswhile printing documents User device 300 may operate in a manner similarto user devices 110 a-110 c described in FIG. 1. Further, some or all ofthe elements of user device 300 may be included as part of a printer orMFD, such as printing device 200 in FIG. 2 or MFDs 130 a-130 d inFIG. 1. User device 300 may also be embodied as, or incorporated as partof, a print server, a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, aportable computing device, etc. User device 300 includes acontroller/processor 330 operatively coupled to a network interface 360,storage 340, and memory 350. Controller/processor 330 is alsooperatively coupled (not shown) to graphical user interface (GUI) 370.Power supply 320 receives input from power source 310 and provides powerto components in user device 300 including storage 340, memory 350,network interface 360, and processor/controller 330. Other elements maybe included in user device 300 but are not described here in theinterest of conciseness.

Network interface 360 is used for communications to and from user device300 and comprises one or both of a wired or wireless connection andcircuitry to support one or more communication protocols including, butnot limited to, IEEE802.11, Ethernet, and cellular networks.Processor/controller 330 controls the various actions, computations,functions, and processes, including various aspects of the embodimentsdescribed herein, by receiving inputs and providing instructions to thevarious elements within user device 300 or within a device incorporatinguser device 300. Processor/controller 330 may also receive inputs andprovide instructions to other devices, such as printer device 200, inorder to control aspects of the other devices, including the variousaspects of the embodiments described herein, through network interface360.

A storage element 340 provides storage for information and data (e.g.,electronic documents prior to selection for printing) created or used byuser device 300. Storage element 340 may include large storage capacityelements, such as optical, magnetic, capacitor based elements that arewriteable and readable by processor/controller 330. GUI 370 provides oneor more interface elements to interact with a user. GUI 370 may includeone or more of a keyboard, mouse, voice detector or microphone, andtouch pad in which to enter instructions from a user. GUI 370 mayadditionally include a speaker or display in which to convey messages,instructions, and menu options to the user.

Memory 350 includes storage for various software program modules used inconjunction with managing electronic documents for printing as part of aprinting device, such as printing device 200 in FIG. 2 or MFDs 130 a-130d in FIG. 1. Memory 350 includes a module for a print client 352, whichcan be a mobile client, desktop client, email client, etc. Print client352 submits print jobs through a print server, such as print servermodule 356. Memory 350 also includes a print driver 354 that converts asource document, such as an electronic document produced using a wordprocessing program on user device 300, print-ready electronic document.The source document may be, for example, a .pdf file, .doc file, .jpegpicture, .txt file, etc., that a user wishes to print, while theprint-ready document is a rasterized document (e.g., bitmap document) orprinter specific document that a printer (e.g., printing device 200) canprint without further processing. Print server 356 accepts the print jobfrom the print client 352, and the electronic document is queued as aprint job until the user requests the print job be printed at a specificprinter (e.g., printing device 200).

It is important to note that each printer may have differentrequirements for the format of the electronic document to be printed. Assuch, each of these requirements and formats must typically be loadedinto memory 350, usually as part of print driver 354. Further, eachprinter may also maintain separate printing queues in print server 356.Including print server 356 in user device 300, including when userdevice 300 is incorporated in a printer such as printing device 200,allows a user to effortlessly begin printing the electronic document ona different printer without requiring the user to reload the remoteelectronic document or start a new print job.

Print client 352 may also include code to display messages and menus inGUI 370 associated with printing an electronic document. In someembodiments, print client 352 may include code to display a menu forselecting a full or regular print mode or a sample print mode. Printclient 352 may include code to display a menu for selecting a subset ofpages of the electronic document as part of the sample print mode optionand further includes selection options such as those described earlier.Finally, print client 352 may include code to display a menu forconfirming acceptance of the quality of the printed subset of pages inthe sample print mode and provide a set of further processing optionssuch as those described earlier.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary process 400 for printing and reusingcustomized sample sets while printing documents. Process 400 isprimarily described with respect to a printing device, such as printingdevice 200 described in FIG. 2. The printing device may also include auser control device, such as user device 300 described in FIG. 3.Process 400 may also be performed by a printer in combination with otherfunctions, such MFDs 130 a-130 d described in FIG. 1. In otherembodiments, some or all of the elements of process 400 may beimplemented in a user device connected to a printer or MFD, such as userdevice 300. Although process 400 depicts steps performed in a particularorder for purposes of illustration and discussion, the operationsdiscussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement.One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will alsoappreciate that one or more of the steps of process 400 may be omitted,rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways.

At step 410, an electronic document is identified for printing using adevice (e.g., printing device 200). The electronic document may bearranged in some structured arrangement, such as a plurality of pages,with each page containing readable information, such as pictures,figures, and text. may be identified by a user on a user interface onthe printing device (e.g., GUI 212). As part of the identification, atstep 410, the electronic document may be retrieved from a memory, suchas storage 210 in printing device 200. The electronic document may alsobe identified, at step 410, on a user device (e.g., user device 300)using a print driver (e.g., print driver 354) and may further beretrieved from a memory in user device 300, processed as describedabove, and provided to printing device 200. The electronic document mayalso be identified in, and retrieved from, a print server device locatedremotely from the printing device.

After the electronic document is identified and/or retrieved, at step410, a message is displayed on a user interface (e.g., GUI 212), at step420, for selecting a print mode. In some embodiments, two print modeoptions are displayed, a full print mode and a sample print mode. Inother embodiments, additional print modes may also be included in thelist of selections.

If, based on input from the user, the full print mode is selected atstep 420, then, at step 430, all of the pages of the retrievedelectronic document requested by the user to print are printed. Process400 is complete after completion of printing all the pages.

If, based on input from the user, the sample print mode is selected atstep 420, then at step 440, a different message is displayed on the userinterface (e.g., GUI 212) for selecting the set of samples pages. Themessage may allow a user to select or enter (e.g., type in) a subset ofone or more pages of the electronic document as the sample set byentering the page numbers individually or as a group. The message mayalso allow a user to select or enter a percentage of the electronicdocument as part of the sample set. The message may further allow a userto select one or more automatic or computationally derived selectionalgorithms to generate the page selection of the sample set for theelectronic document. For example, a random selection option may beavailable, that selects the pages in some random sequence. In anotherexample, a marking content selection option may be available thatchooses pages with high amounts of marking content or alternatively lowamounts of white space on the pages. In still other examples, a colorcontent selection option or a picture/text content selection option maybe available. Any of these selections may utilize any of the sample setgeneration and management aspects of the present disclosure describedabove.

After the sample set of pages of the retrieved electronic document areselected at step 440, the sample set of pages are printed in theprinting device 200, at step 450. The printing of the sample set ofpages may be considered a first phase of printing the electronicdocument.

Once the sample set of pages are printed, at step 450, then, at step460, another message is displayed on the user interface (e.g., GUI 212)to select whether the quality of the printed sample set of pages is okayand acceptable to the user. If, after input from the user, the printingof the sample set of pages is okay and acceptable, then, at step 470,the remaining pages of the retrieved electronic document requested bythe user are printed, as part of printing the electronic document in thesample print mode. The printing of the remaining pages, some portion ofor all the pages not previously printed as the sample set may beconsidered a second phase of printing the electronic document. In someembodiments, an additional message is displayed on the user interfaceinstructing a user to insert the printed sample set of pages from thefirst phase in a tray (e.g., a bypass tray included in sheet supply230). The printed sample pages may then be incorporated with theprinting of the desired remaining pages as described above. Theincorporation of the printed sample set of pages with the printing ofthe remaining pages provides a complete set of printed pages withminimal waste of materials, such as print media and ink or toner used byprinting device 200. Process 400 is complete when any of the remainingpages of the retrieved electronic document are retrieved whether it bethe entire retrieved electronic document or some portion of the documentthat is necessary to complete the print job.

If, at step 460, the printing of the sample set of pages is notacceptable, then, one of two or more alternative selection options forthe second phase of printing in the sample print mode may be selected bythe user. In a first alternative based on an input from the user, atstep 480, the printing job is canceled. The retrieved electronicdocument may be removed from memory (e.g., storage 210) and in someinstances, the printing job for the electronic document may be removedfrom a printer queue or print.

As a second alternative option for the second phase of printing in thesample print mode based on an input from the user, at step 490, theretrieved electronic document is sent or transferred to a differentprinter. Process 400 continues with a return identifying and retrievingthe electronic document for printing in the new printer, at step 410. Insome embodiments, the transfer may be a direct transfer of theelectronic document and associated information, as a print job, from thecurrent printer to a different new printer using a local networkcoupling the two printers as described earlier. In some embodiments, thetransfer may be an indirect transfer. For example, the electronicdocument is returned, or transferred back, to a printer queue or printserver where it may be assigned to a new printer. The electronicdocument may also be returned to a user device (e.g., user device 300)for any additional processing in a print driver (e.g., print driver 354)needed to print on the new printer.

It is important to note that creating and managing a print job in aprinter queue or print server, such as print server 356 described inFIG. 3, may include additional management activity when printingelectronic documents in a process, such as process 400, that includes asample print option such as described herein. In some embodiments, aprint job for an electronic document created using software modules,such as print client 352, print driver 354 and printer server 356described in FIG. 3, and using a sample print mode may be considered tohave a pending status during as well as after completion of printing thesample set of pages in the first step or phase of printing, at step 450.The pending status remains while printing the remaining pages of thedocument if the printed sample pages are acceptable and printing iscontinued in the second phase, at step 470. However, a status change maybe entered if the printed sample pages are not acceptable and printingis either canceled, at step 480, or transferred to a different printingdevice, at step 490. For example, if the printing is canceled, the printjob may be canceled and removed from print server 356 or any otherprinter queue. Further, if moving the document to another printingdevice is selected, then the print job may remain in pending status inprint server 356 or any other printer queue. Information regarding thenew printing device may replace the previous printing deviceinformation. In some instances, the print job may be removed or canceledin the previous printing device or may be maintained after transfer tothe new printing device along with information that the first phase ofsample print mode has been completed. In these instances, allinformation regarding the sample print mode selections is alsomaintained in the previous printing device.

The following description for FIGS. 5-8 involve one or more exemplaryscreenshots from a display in a user interface used for printing andreusing a sample set of pages while printing documents. The display maybe included in one or more user interfaces, such as GUI 212 described inFIG. 2 or GUI 370 described in FIG. 3. Further, the exemplaryscreenshots in FIGS. 5-8 will be described in relation to one or more ofthe steps of process 400 described in FIG. 4. It is important to notethat the exemplary screenshots in FIGS. 5-8 may be used in otherprocesses similar to, and/or containing aspects of process 400 inconjunction with printing a reusing a sample set of pages while printingdocuments.

FIG. 5 depicts an initial electronic document selection screen 500.Selection screen 500 includes an identification of the print queue 510.Print queue 510 may reside in the printing device, such as printingdevice 200, or may reside in another device, such as user device 300,operatively coupled to the printing device. Selection screen 500 alsolists out various details of the different electronic document,identified as files, that are available for download and printing inwindow 520. The file details may include items such as the filename, theowner of the file, the date the file was last modified, etc. It isimportant to note that many other items relating to the print queuecould be provided in window 520 as are well known to those skilled inthe art. Window 520 also includes a form of menu selection input whethercurrently known or developed in the future, such as radio-style buttons530, for each of the files in window 520. The selection of one of thefiles based on a selection input from a user, instructs the printingdevice to retrieve or request download of the electronic document as afile for a print job, and to begin the process of printing theelectronic document. A back arrow 590 is also included to allow for thereturn to a previous menu. In some embodiments, for selection screen500, the back arrow 590 returns to a general options screen on thedevice (e.g., printer device 200 or user device 300).

FIG. 6 depicts a printing options selection screen 600 for the file orelectronic document selected using selection screen 500. Optionsselection screen 600 includes a current status bar 610, indicating thecurrent menu status (PRINT MENU) and the currently selected file orelectronic document. Options selection screen 600 further includes awindow 620 displaying three options available for selection, along withcorresponding selection input, such as radio buttons 630-650. In someembodiments, only one selection from window 620 may be made for aselected file or electronic document, and the operations performed as aresult of the selecting one of the selection buttons 630-650 may bemutually exclusive. It is also important to note that more or feweroptions may be included for selection in window 620, includingadditional print options known to those skilled in the art.

Selection button 630 in options selection screen 600 is a full printoption, which will print all of the pages of the document. In someembodiments, the full-print option prints any of the pages, fewer thanthe pages in the entire electronic document, that were selected by auser or print owner as part of establishing the print job. Once theprinting is completed, the print job may be removed from the printqueue. Selection button 640 is a sample print option, which will print aset of sample pages in a first or sample printing phase based on aselection made in a further screen, described in more detail below.

Selection button 650 in options selection screen 600 is a cancel printoption, which will cancel the current process. In some embodiments, thecancel print selection 650 may also remove the print job or printrequest and may further remove the file or electronic document from theprint queue (e.g., print queue in selection screen 500). Further, insome embodiments, the cancel print selection 650 further reverts todisplaying a general or main options screen on the device (e.g., printerdevice 200 or user device 300). Notes may be provided to the user toindicate the operations that will occur for each of the differentselection buttons 630-650. The notes may always be displayed on theoptions selection screen 600, or may only appear when the user hoversthe cursor over a specific radio button. Therefore, the notes may becontext sensitive. A back arrow 690 is also included to allow for returnto a previous menu. In some embodiments, selecting back arrow 690 bringsup selection screen 500 on the display.

FIG. 7 depicts a sample set selection screen 700 for the file orelectronic document selected using selection screen 500 when the sampleset selection in made in options selection screen 600. Options selectionscreen 700 includes a current status bar 710, indicating the currentmenu (FIRST PHASE) and the currently selected file or electronicdocument. Options selection screen 700 further includes a window 720displaying three options available for selection, along withcorresponding selection input, such as radio selection buttons 730, 740,750, and 755 along with entry elements 735 and 745. In some embodiments,only one selection from window 720 may be made for a selected file orelectronic document, and the operations performed as a result of theselecting on of the selection buttons 730, 740, 750, and 755 may bemutually exclusive. It is also important to note that more or feweroptions may be included for selection in window 720.

Selection button 730 in options selection screen 700 is a page selectoption that allows entry of information for the sample based on pages inthe electronic document. In conjunction with the page select option, anentry box 735 is provided for entry of the pages to include in thesample set. In some embodiments, a different entry mechanism, such asradio button selection of specific pages, may be included in additionto, or instead of, entry box 735. Selection button 740 is a percentselect option that allows entry of information for the sample based on apercentage of pages in the electronic document. In conjunction with thepercent select option, an entry box 745 is provided for entry of thepercentage to include in the sample set. In some embodiments, adifferent entry mechanism, such as radio button selection of specificpercentages, may be included in addition to, or instead of, entry box745. Once the percentage is entered in entry box 745 and the percentselect button 740 is selected, the percentage value may be converted toa set of pages for printing as the sample set in the first phase in amanner such as the one described above.

Selection button 750 and selection button 755 in options selectionscreen 700 are each automatic selection options using a random selectionalgorithm and a best choice selection algorithm selection respectively.Once either the auto/random button 750 or auto/best choice button 755 isselected, the set of pages for printing as the sample set in the firstphase determined using computations and algorithms such as thosedescribed above. Notes may be provided for each of the selection buttonsin a manner similar to that described earlier. A back arrow 790 is alsoincluded to allow for return to a previous menu. In some embodiments,for selection screen 700, the back arrow 790 returns to selection screen600, to allow selection of a print option for the selected file orelectronic document.

FIG. 8 depicts a further options selection screen 700 for the file orelectronic document selected using selection screen 500 after completionof printing the pages in the sample set. Further options selectionscreen 800 includes a current status bar 810, indicating the currentmenu (SECOND PHASE) and the currently selected file or electronicdocument. Options selection screen 800 further includes a window 820displaying three options available for selection, along withcorresponding selection input, such as radio buttons 830-850. In someembodiments, only one selection from window 820 may be made for aselected file or electronic document, and the operations performed as aresult of the selecting on of the selection buttons 830-850 may bemutually exclusive. It is also important to note that more or feweroptions may be included for selection in window 820.

Selection button 830 in options selection screen 800 is a printremainder option, which will print the remaining pages of the electronicdocument as part of the second phase printing for the entire document.In some embodiments, when the print job initially includes printingfewer pages than the number of pages of the electronic document based onan input from the user during the initial print request, the printremainder option prints any of the remaining pages requested in theprint job and not printed in the first phase. Once the printing of theremaining pages is complete, the print job may be removed from the printqueue. In some embodiments, an additional screen (not shown) may bedisplayed following selection of the print remainder option withselection button 830. The screen instructs a user to insert the printedsubset of pages from the first phase of the sample print mode into amedia tray holder on the printing device for incorporation with theremaining pages for the electronic document in a manner as describedearlier.

Selection button 840 in options selection screen 800 is a move to adifferent printer option, which allows a print job associated with anelectronic document to be transferred to a different printer in a mannersuch as described in step 490 of process 400. Selection button 850 is acancel print option, which will cancel the current print process. Theselection of the cancel print option with selection button 840 mayprocess the electronic document in a manner similar to that describedfor step 480 of process 400. Further, in some embodiments, the cancelprint selection 850 further reverts to displaying a general or mainoptions screen on the device (e.g., printer device 200 or user device300). Notes may be provided for each of the selection buttons in amanner similar to that described earlier. A back arrow 890 is alsoincluded to allow for return to a previous menu. In some embodiments,selecting back arrow 890 brings up selection screen 600 on the display.

The terms printer, MFD, or printing device as used herein encompassesany apparatus, such as a digital copier, bookmaking machine, facsimilemachine, multi-function machine, etc., which performs a print outputtingfunction for any purpose. The details of printers, printing engines,etc., are well-known and are not described in detail herein to keep thisdisclosure focused on the salient features presented. The systems andmethods herein can encompass systems and methods that print in color ormonochrome, or handle color or monochrome image data. All foregoingsystems and methods are specifically applicable to electrostatographicand/or xerographic machines and/or processes. Further, the termsautomated or automatically mean that once a process is started (by amachine or a user), one or more machines perform the process withoutfurther input from any user.

While some of the embodiments have been described in the general contextof program modules or nodes that execute in conjunction with anapplication program that runs on an operating system on a computingdevice, those skilled in the art will recognize that aspects may also beimplemented in combination with other program modules or nodes.

Generally, program modules or nodes include routines, programs,components, data structures, and other types of structures that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover,those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may bepracticed with other computer system configurations, including hand-helddevices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and comparablecomputing devices. Embodiments may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communication network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

Some of the embodiments described above may further be implemented as acomputer-implemented process (method), a computing system, or as anarticle of manufacture, such as a computer program product or computerreadable media. The computer program product may be a computer storagemedium readable by a computer system and encoding a computer programthat comprises instructions for causing a computer or computing systemto perform example process(es). The computer-readable storage medium isa computer-readable memory device. The computer-readable storage mediumcan, for example, be implemented via one or more of a volatile computermemory, a non-volatile memory, a hard drive, a flash drive, a floppydisk, or a compact disk, and comparable media.

The exemplary systems and methods described herein can be performedunder the control of a processing system executing computer-readablecodes embodied on a computer-readable recording medium or communicationsignals transmitted through a transitory medium. The computer-readablerecording medium is any data storage device that can store data readableby a processing system, and includes both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media, and contemplates mediareadable by a database, a computer, and various other network devices.

Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include, but are notlimited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), erasableelectrically programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other memorytechnology, holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticstorage including magnetic tape and magnetic disk, and solid-statestorage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.The communication signals transmitted through a transitory medium mayinclude, for example, modulated signals transmitted through wired orwireless transmission paths.

Although embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the presentdisclosure have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilledin the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that stillincorporate these teachings. Having described preferred embodiments ofsystems and methods for printing and reusing sample sets while printingdocuments (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), itis noted that modifications and variations can be made by personsskilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, tobe understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments ofthe disclosure disclosed which are within the scope of the disclosure asoutlined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a printingengine configured to print information on a physical readable medium; aprint processor configured to receive instructions to retrieve anelectronic document from a print queue and to process the electronicdocument in a sample print mode, the electronic document arranged in aplurality of pages, each page containing readable information; and auser interface that displays: a first message comprising at least onefirst option for automatically selecting at least one page of theplurality of pages for a subset of the plurality of pages to be printedin a first phase of the sample print mode, wherein the at least onefirst option comprises one or more of a percentage selection option, amarking content selection option, a color content selection option, apicture content option, and a text selection option; a second messagecomprising at least one second option regarding the printing of theelectronic document after the first phase of the sample print mode iscomplete, wherein the print processor is further configured to: providethe at least one page of the subset to print using the print engine inthe first phase in response to user input based on the at least onefirst option chosen from the first message; and provide remaining pagesof the plurality of pages to print using the print engine in a secondphase of the sample print mode in response to user input based on atleast one second option chosen from the second message.
 2. The printingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second message comprises a userselection menu to select one second option from the at least one secondoption, the at least one second option comprising one or more ofcontinue printing in a second phase, cancel printing, and transferprinting of the electronic document to a different printer apparatus tobegin printing in the first phase of the sample print mode in thedifferent printer apparatus.
 3. The printing apparatus of claim 2,wherein the electronic document and information associated with thesubset is electronically communicated to the different printer apparatuswhen the second option to transfer the electronic document to adifferent printer is selected.
 4. The printing apparatus of claim 1,wherein the second message comprises an instruction to insert theprinted subset in a page collating mechanism attached to the printengine, and wherein the print engine further collates the subset withremaining pages of the plurality of pages printed in the second phase.5. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one firstoption comprises the percentage selection option.
 6. The printingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the percentage selection option selects apercentage of pages comprising one or more of high amounts of markingcontent, low amounts of white space, a color content, a picture, andtext.
 7. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the percentageselection option comprises a preset percentage of the document.
 8. Theprinting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the percentage selectioncomprises a sub-option for entering a percentage value of 1 percent to99 percent of the document.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a memory forstoring an electronic document, the electronic document arranged in aplurality of pages, each page containing readable information; and aprocessor configured to: process the electronic document retrieved fromthe memory in a sample print mode based on a first user input;automatically select at least one page from the plurality of pages basedon selection of a percentage option, a marking content option, a colorcontent option, a picture content option, and a text option to define asubset of the electronic document based on a second user input; sendinstructions to print the subset on a physical readable media in a firstphase of the sample print mode; and send instructions to print remainingpages of the electronic document on the physical readable media in asecond phase of the sample print mode, the instructions being sent inresponse to a third user input based on a message displayed atcompletion of printing in the first phase of the sample print mode. 10.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the displayed message comprises a userselection menu to select one printing option from one or more ofcontinue printing in a second phase, cancel printing, and transferprinting of the electronic document to a different printer apparatus tobegin printing in the first phase of the sample print mode in thedifferent printer apparatus.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein theelectronic document and information associated with the subset iselectronically communicated to the different printer apparatus when theprinting option to transfer the electronic document to a differentprinter is selected.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the displayedmessage comprises an instruction to insert the printed subset in a pagecollating mechanism attached to a print engine, and wherein theprocessor is further configured to send instructions to collate thesubset with remaining pages of the plurality of pages printed in thesecond phase.
 13. A method comprising; receiving instructions toretrieve an electronic document, the electronic document arranged in aplurality of pages, each page containing readable information; receivinga command to process the electronic document in a sample print mode;displaying a first message comprising at least one first option on auser interface for automatically selecting at least one page of theplurality of pages for a subset of the plurality of pages to be printedin a first phase of the sample print mode, wherein the at least onefirst option comprises one or more of a percentage selection option, amarking content selection option, a color content selection option, apicture content option, and a text selection option; printing the subseton a physical readable media in the sample print mode; displaying asecond message comprising at least one second option on the userinterface after completion of the first phase of the sample print mode;and cancelling or printing remaining pages of the electronic document ina second phase on a physical readable media in response to user inputbased on the displayed message.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thesecond message comprises a user selection menu to select one secondoption from the at least one second option, the at least one secondoption comprising one or more of continue printing in a second phase,cancel printing, and transfer printing of the electronic document to adifferent printer apparatus to begin printing in the first phase of thesample print mode in the different printer apparatus.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the electronic document and information associatedwith the subset is electronically communicated to the different printerapparatus when the second option to transfer the electronic document toa different printer is selected.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein thesecond message comprises an instruction to insert the printed subset ina page collating mechanism attached to a print engine, and wherein themethod further comprises incorporating the subset with remaining pagesprinted in the second phase.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the atleast one first option comprises the percentage selection option. 18.The method of claim 13, wherein the percentage selection option selectsa percentage of pages comprising one or more of high amounts of markingcontent, low amounts of white space, a color content, a picture, andtext.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the percentage selectionoption comprises a preset percentage of the document.
 20. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the percentage selection comprises a sub-option forentering a percentage value of 1 percent to 99 percent of the document.